Along with the rest of the Bulldog Nation, Georgia head coach Mark Richt was stunned by the news that mascot Uga VII had passed away earlier Thursday afternoon.

According to owner Sonny Seiler, the four-year-old Uga VII died of a heart attack. There will be no live mascot for the rest of the year, but a wreath will be placed on Uga VII's doghouse on the north sideline.

"I was shocked and saddened to hear about Uga VII. I got a chance to talk to Sonny today earlier today and hear a little bit about it," Richt said. "I wouldn't have thought that something like that could happen that quickly, but it did. I'm sad we won't have him on the sideline anymore."

Richt said he planned to tell the players about Uga's passing following practice Thursday night.

"During Picture Day, his lines were always much longer than mine," Richt said. "They said the line for Uga's pictures, people would get there sometimes 24 hours in advance, if not longer. I guess there were just so many tickets because they always had to shut it down."

Geathers looking like a new man

Freshman defensive tackle Kwame Geathers tried to act like it was not that big a deal.

It's been three months since Geathers first arrived on campus, obviously on the hefty side, after having to wait until he was given the OK to report by the NCAA Clearinghouse.

No longer: It was a slimmer and trimmer version of Geathers who spoke briefly earlier this week. So, how much weight has he lost?

"I've dropped a little bit of weight well, actually a good bit of weight," Geathers said. "I came in at 348, now I'm at 309. The training staff has done a good job keeping me in shape."

"I've learned a lot every day," Geathers said. "I've come in and tried to learn as much as I can, and just try to get better physically and mentally. I've just been trying to learn everything I can."

This and that

Although Richt said "you never say never, his intentions are to keep redshirt freshman A.J. Harmon on the offensive line. Richt was also asked about running back Richard Samuel and a potential move to linebacker. "Again, I don't want to disrupt his life right but, but we'll look at everything totally once the season is over," Richt said. "We'll look at some things when there is some breathing room." Richt said that linebacker Darius Dewberry (elbow) will play against Kentucky. Dawg Walk Saturday is scheduled for 5:45 p.m.